One of the participants in the upcomingCollege Football Playoffchampionship game has now been determined. Tonight, we'll learn whichBig Tensquad will fill the other slot.
Indiana, despite over a century of football futility, has emphatically eliminated any doubts that it has what it takes to earn its first title. But the Hoosiers must do what two other teams, namely Oklahoma and Georgia, failed to do in these playoffs, namely beat a team they vanquished earlier in the regular season.Oregonearned this rematch with a pair of very different wins, putting up a big score againstJames Madisonthen clamping down on defensein a whitewash of Texas Tech.
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Here's the tale of the tape.
Peach Bowl: No. 1 Indiana vs. No. 5 Oregon
Time/TV:7:30 p.m. ET, ESPN in Atlanta.
Why watch:The Hoosiers' epicRose Bowl beatdown of Alabamawas facilitated in large measure by OL Pat Coogan and his friends on the interior completely owning the line of scrimmage. Bear Alexander and theDucks' defensive front held up fairly well against that group in the October meeting, but Indiana QB Fernando Mendoza still for the most part had time to operate and was able to atone for some uncharacteristic mistakes. Meanwhile, Hoosiers RBs Roman Hemby and Kaelon Black will once again become well acquainted with Ducks LB Bryce Boettcher as they look for running lanes. Oregon QB Dante Moore and RB Noah Whittington hope to do a better job finishing drives this time, but Hoosiers LBs Rolijah Hardy and Aiden Fisher rarely allow more than one goal-line crossing in a game. The Indiana secondary also does not surrender many long pass plays, but Ducks TE Kenyon Sadiq can be a valuable weapon in the mid-range game.
Why it could disappoint:Fourth-quarter drama, with just a couple of notable exceptions, has not been Indiana's M.O. this season. Wire-to-wire domination by Oregon is also possible but seems less likely.
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY:Bowl games today: Indiana vs Oregon in Peach Bowl CFP semifinal
